Just coming back after a wonderful November Japan trip and the holidays in December. Focus is the perfect topic for coming back.
Like Cynthia, two-hour blocks with a quick tea/bathroom/stretch break work for me. On a good day I can do two of those blocks. When there is a deadline, I can add in a bit more. But that's all.
Interruptions derail me. There are fewer at home than there were when I worked in an office, but I can be distracted too easily.
You’re making such good points here. “Most people think they can/should/better/gotta have long sessions.” Its a total misconception and I wonder where it comes from.
I am more creative when I actually constrain my time!
100% same here Koosje. I take a break from my paid work (I’m a self employed consultant to my former FT employer) at 11:00am a few days per week so I can eat lunch before a free cowriting session that goes 11:30 - 1. With the check-ins/outs this makes for about 70 minutes of writing time before I take a break and go for about 55 more minutes. If I get these 2 concentrated hours in, broken up with a stretch/dog walk in between, I feel pretty good about things. Sometimes the trick is staying with it the first hour if I’m not ‘in the zone.’ Things that help me there are sketching an item the scene, writing a message from a character in the scene to another character whose not, or making a list of 20 things that might happen next.
Previously I had this big idea that what I needed was lots of time free from working for money. At least for me, that’s not true. What I need is a hard focus on the single next thing I want to do. Without that, I can’t use the time well, regardless of how long it is.
I’m thinking of focus in a different way this morning. In 2016+ my art was reactionary. I’ve decided this time I will not react (I’m not even reading news). I will continue with the projects that I’ve created because of my own values and interests with hope and confidence (based on feedback on my past work) that it will speak to and help readers.
Just coming back after a wonderful November Japan trip and the holidays in December. Focus is the perfect topic for coming back.
Like Cynthia, two-hour blocks with a quick tea/bathroom/stretch break work for me. On a good day I can do two of those blocks. When there is a deadline, I can add in a bit more. But that's all.
Interruptions derail me. There are fewer at home than there were when I worked in an office, but I can be distracted too easily.
You’re making such good points here. “Most people think they can/should/better/gotta have long sessions.” Its a total misconception and I wonder where it comes from.
I am more creative when I actually constrain my time!
Glad to hear it, Koosje! I think a few good constraints make everything better. Making anything is a constant dance with constraints.
100% same here Koosje. I take a break from my paid work (I’m a self employed consultant to my former FT employer) at 11:00am a few days per week so I can eat lunch before a free cowriting session that goes 11:30 - 1. With the check-ins/outs this makes for about 70 minutes of writing time before I take a break and go for about 55 more minutes. If I get these 2 concentrated hours in, broken up with a stretch/dog walk in between, I feel pretty good about things. Sometimes the trick is staying with it the first hour if I’m not ‘in the zone.’ Things that help me there are sketching an item the scene, writing a message from a character in the scene to another character whose not, or making a list of 20 things that might happen next.
Previously I had this big idea that what I needed was lots of time free from working for money. At least for me, that’s not true. What I need is a hard focus on the single next thing I want to do. Without that, I can’t use the time well, regardless of how long it is.
I love this, Kelly: >> a hard focus on the single next thing I want to do.<<
It’s fun reading about your writing groove. Especially enjoyed your playful approaches to keeping things fresh with the characters.
I have a similar stride - two sessions with a break in between feel satisfying and productive and leaves room for other things.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m thinking of focus in a different way this morning. In 2016+ my art was reactionary. I’ve decided this time I will not react (I’m not even reading news). I will continue with the projects that I’ve created because of my own values and interests with hope and confidence (based on feedback on my past work) that it will speak to and help readers.
That’s the way to go, Donna! Keep making.